Keith Allen Keller was born August 31, 1957, to Vera and Grandon Keller and passed away unexpectedly at home in Isanti, MN, on February 11, 2026, at the age of 68. A memorial gathering will be held on Saturday, 2/21/26, at Sidelines in Cambridge, MN, 11am-2pm. Join us for a beer and chicken wings or raise one of your own as we “prop him up beside the jukebox”.
Keith was preceded in death by his parents and sisters, Kathy Halverson and Pat O’Sullivan. He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Patty (Gerads) Keller; children, Melissa Cedars (Sara), Kevin Keller (Kayleen), Elizabeth Bauer (Joseph); and grandchildren, Luke, Willow, Reid, Wes, Melanie, Annabell, and Wyatt; niece, Casey Hagford (Michael), and other extended family.
Keith recently retired from a long career as a boiler operator and building maintenance technician at McLaughlin Gormley King. He enjoyed being in the boat and fishing but always seemed to miss the big one. He could often be found playing pull tabs at a local establishment or sitting in the garage having a beer and listening to music. In his younger days he was known for showing off his dance moves, tearing up the skating rink, and playing poker. The grandkids will miss Grandpa Keith’s shenanigans at the dinner table and messing around to get a rise out of him.
Beautiful tribute. Rest in peace Keith. Sending my love and prayers to Patty, kids and grandkids. Love you all!
Our deepest sympathies to Patty and family. Prayers and hugs come to all of you. I wish I could have seen some of those dance moves that he was famous for. Sure he’s dancing with the angels. And following that, I pray that he would rest in peace.
I was deeply saddened to hear of Keith’s passing. Although I had the privilege of working with him for more than 30 years, it is far too soon—especially after he had just begun enjoying his well-earned retirement.
I worked with Keith in operations, and had the opportunity to see firsthand the kind of person Keith truly was. Through decades of change in manufacturing, countless upgrades in equipment and processes, and more than our share of management transitions, he was a steady and dependable presence. No matter what challenges came our way, I always knew Keith was on his shift and the boilers were in good hands.
He was knowledgeable and took pride in his work as our primary boiler operator. His understanding of the systems went beyond the manuals. He had that rare combination of technical skill and practical wisdom that only comes from years of hands-on experience. I respected him greatly for that.
What I will remember most is his personality. He had a sharp wit and a way of bringing humor into even the most stressful situations. There were many times his ability to make us laugh or offer a thoughtful comment made a difference.
We shared more than just a workplace—we shared decades of history, problem-solving, conversations, and camaraderie. Guys like Keith don’t just fill a role; they leave a mark. He certainly left one with MGK and everyone who had the opportunity to work with him.
Please know that he was respected, appreciated, and truly valued. I am grateful for the many years I was able to work with him.
My thoughts and deepest condolences are with you and your family during this difficult time.
With sincere sympathy,
Dave Westphal
Keith would have known me as Paula Waldoch. I was married to one of his best friends, Ron. So much of my teen years was spent hanging out with Keith. Many nights roller skating, playing foosball (watching him and Ron) and playing cards with his family. I was sorry to hear of his passing.